Long-term Use Of Opioids Has Been Found To Make Chronic Pain Worse

By Dr. John Rosa

If I were to tell you that your chronic pain is a result of something that is going on in your brain, you might want to “brain me.” But, in fact, this is something that researchers are discovering and bringing to light as the opioid crisis continues to spiral out of control.

 

The Reward Of Opioid Addiction Is More Pain 

According to researchers in a recent article, “New evidence suggests that the body’s reward system may be more important than tissue damage in the transition from acute to chronic pain.” The article explains, “By reward system, they (the researchers) are referring, in part, to the endogenous opioid system, a complicated system connected to several areas of the brain. The system includes the natural release of endorphins from pleasurable activities.” https://neurosciencenews.com/opioid-chronic-emotion-pain-17507/

It turns out that emotional and chronic physical pain are “bidirectional” meaning they function in two directions. Endorphins are natural opioids produced in the brain. They are part of the brain’s pleasure and reward system. According to researchers, “When this reward system is damaged by manufactured opioids, it perpetuates isolation and chronic illness and is a strong risk factor for depression. Rather than helping the pain for which the opioid was originally sought, persistent opioid use may be chasing the pain in a circular manner, diminishing natural rewards from normal sources of pleasure, and increasing social isolation,” and ultimately increasing chronic pain. https://neurosciencenews.com/opioid-chronic-emotion-pain-17507/

 

Use Your Brain Instead Of Letting It Use You

Recent research suggests emotional pain activates many of the same limbic brain centers as physical pain. This appears to be especially true for the most common chronic pain syndromes – back pain, headaches, and fibromyalgia.

According to this article, the authors state, “Physical injury and social rejection activate similar brain centers. Many of the patients who use opioid medications long term for the treatment of chronic pain have both physical and social pain, but these medications may produce a state of persistent opioid dependence that suppresses the endogenous opioid system that is essential for human socialization and reward processing.” Importantly they state that, “Recognition of the social aspects of chronic pain and opioid action can improve our treatment of chronic pain and our use of opioid medications.”

https://neurosciencenews.com/opioid-chronic-emotion-pain-17507/

This leads me to the mind-body connection and those who have been beating the drum for decades to little or no avail. It’s about time for the mainstream medical industry to catch up with the mind and its role in pain. One of the most prolific and profound proponents of helping people overcome chronic pain without drugs or dangerous surgeries was Dr. John Sarno. He was professor of Clinical Rehabilitation medicine at the New York University School of Medicine and author of numerous books on the mind-body connection. His most popular book is called Healing Back Pain, The Mind-Body Connection. Dr. Sarno is no longer alive, but his work is being continued. I recommend Dr. Sarno’s work to anyone in chronic pain.

 

Stop The Pain Stop The Drugs

Opioids may trick the brain into forgetting the pain better early on, but over long-term use, opioids wreak havoc on the physical body as well as psychological well-being. It turns out that the only way to stop the pain is to stop the drugs. In the meantime, there are other methods that provide real relief: chiropractic, massage therapy, acupuncture, and more. Awareness is the first step. Give something other than opioids a chance.

The Deadly Effects Of Social Isolation

By Dr. John Rosa

The COVID-19 pandemic is bringing to the foreground the serious effects of extended social isolation. According to a recent New York Times article, “The psychological effects of loneliness are a health risk comparable with obesity or smoking.” The health implications are as serious as a heart attack. In fact, extended social isolation has been noted to cause heart disease, dementia, depression, and even death. The isolation was meant to help us avoid death due to COVID-19, but it is increasing our vulnerability to the very disease that isolation is meant to help address.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/08/opinion/covid-lockdown-isolation.html?campaign_id=39&emc=edit_ty_20201208&instance_id=24820&nl=opinion-today&regi_id=74586418&segment_id=46333&te=1&user_id=3e21bfc7edc421f4499d99f53134721a

 

Statistics show that anxiety and depression have spiked during the pandemic. And apparently, there has been an 18% spike in overdose deaths with more than 40 states reporting increases.

Not everyone handles social isolation in the same way. According to an article in Sciencemag.org, a behavioral scientist at the University of Arizona, Chris Segrin says, “It’s important to remember that not everyone is going into this with the same level of mental health. Someone who is already having problems with social anxiety, depression, loneliness, substance abuse, or other health problems is going to be particularly vulnerable.”

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/03/we-are-social-species-how-will-social-distancing-affect-us

After nearly a full year, I doubt there’s anyone who isn’t feeling the stressful effects of the extended isolation and social distancing. The vulnerable population is growing. It is increasingly important to check in with your loved ones frequently to ascertain how they are handling the stresses. And it’s very important to stay in touch with those family members, friends, and colleagues you know who are more vulnerable. We have to take mental health effects as seriously as we are taking the physical effects. In fact, it turns out that COVID-19 lockdowns dovetail with years of science that shows social isolation isn’t just psychologically harmful to humans, but deadly. The virus has already claimed too many lives. Let’s do everything possible to keep the mental and emotional health of ourselves and our loved ones strong so we can get through this challenging time.

Even When 2020 Is Over It Won’t Soon Be Forgotten

By Dr. John Rosa

Just about everyone I know agrees that they wish 2020 could be magically erased from their memories. While we, as a species, do tend to move on quickly to the next “it” thing, the negative effects of this year are going to be visible in the world for years to come. Much like the light we see in the night sky from stars that have burned out years ago, the mental health issues ignited in 2020 will be taking their toll long after this year is over.

 

Humans Aren’t Designed To Handle Long-term Stress

 Economic instability, social isolation and constant fear of the unknown are fuel for the “diseases of despair” that include drug addiction, alcoholism and suicide. Our biological adaptive responses are designed to handle stressful situations for short periods of time. But they are not intended to be useful on a long-term basis which is why so many people take to engaging in behaviors that falsely compensate while immersed in long-term stressful situations.

 

Hormone Depletion

Dopamine is a hormone reward system that gives us the ability to plan and feel accomplished when we complete tasks. It also activates pleasure pathways that guide us to enjoyable things that cultivate life like eating and sex to ensure the survival of our species. During long-term stressful times our ability to produce dopamine is diminished with devastating effects.

Serotonin is a hormone that balances mood, well-being and feelings of relevance. When serotonin levels are low, people become anxious, depressed, and experience sleeplessness. When stress becomes chronic and long-term, we produce less serotonin.  stressors cause serotonin levels to become depleted. So it’s no wonder that people are feeling less relevant during these challenging times.  these difficult times we feel less relevant and therefore produce less serotonin.

 

Falsely Produced Feel-Good Hormones 

When we falsely produce the feel-good hormones of dopamine and serotonin with the introduction of drugs, alcohol, or gambling it creates an unconditional feeling of wellbeing. This feeling is short-lived but the causes of feeling bad that drive people to addictive behaviors are not, so we tend to reach for these things to feel ok and as an escape from a crappy reality.

Take Care Of Yourself And Your Loved Ones This Holiday Season

We have been enduring economic instability, social isolation and fear of the unknown since the beginning of 2020. This holiday season is unlike any we have known before. So, I beg of you, please pay attention to yourself, to how you are feeling emotionally and physically. Pay attention to the behavior of your loved ones. Initiate or continue to practice stress-relieving techniques like meditation and exercise. Reach out to isolated and lonely friends and family members. And most importantly, if you are in physical pain, find a non-pharmaceutical and non-surgical way to treat it such as chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture and mindfulness.

This year will be over soon, but as I mentioned at the beginning of this piece, it will not soon be forgotten. But I, for one, am going to continue focusing my attention on making a positive impact on those lives that have devastated by addiction and helping change the way these people deal with their pain.

Wishing you and yours a healthy holiday season.

How To Get Away With Mass Serial Murder And Make Billions

By Dr. John Rosa

I am aware there is a popular show that streams on Netflix called How To Get Away With Murder, in which a successful attorney teaches a university-level law course. Well, how about a show about a family that plays a leading role in the deaths of roughly 150 people every day?

The death toll began in the late 1990s and by 2017, the annual death toll directly linked to this family was a mere 70,237.

The family I’m talking about is the real-life Sackler family, the Purdue Pharma makers and marketers of the opioid oxycontin. Facing 2,600 different lawsuits, this family got off free and clear and are still allowed to make pills that supposedly help those addicted to oxycontin while making even more money in the process.

So, how to do it…First of all, make a highly addictive pill. Next, misdirect the entire medical community, be very clear when telling them that your pills are not addictive. Then blame the people who are addicted to your product. Pronounce that all of the people dying from opioids “were already addicts and that this wouldn’t happen to people (patients) who were not already addicted to drugs.” And, very importantly direct all of the blame to the people in your very own “marketing department.” Claim ignorance. Deny vehemently that you had any idea what they were doing.

Here’s the most important step, when you know you’re close to getting caught – 2,600 lawsuits are a fairly clear indication that someone’s coming after you — declare bankruptcy and move all of your company’s money overseas and into the accounts of individual family members.

Oh, and one more thing, you must maintain an absolutely remorseless demeanor. If you’d rather not wait for the show to be made and come to Netflix, you can read about the real life story here: https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2020/11/04/purdue-pharma-pleads-guilty.aspx

Oxycontin Oxymoron

 I read an article recently that made me scratch my head in wonder. The title of the article is Oxycontin Maker Pleads Guilty and Shuts Down. I was very interested to read the details and thought that after reading it I would be able to cheer. However, that was not my take-away.

I’m sharing parts of the article a little further on in this piece so you can see exactly what I’m talking about. But first I want to provide definitions for the two words that make up the title of this piece.

 

Oxycontin: Narcotic

It can treat moderate to severe pain. High risk for addiction and dependence. Can cause respiratory distress and death when taken in high doses or when combined with other substances, especially alcohol.

 

Oxymoron: A figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction.

Example: Jumbo shrimp

 

Now To The Story  

The article I’m going to share excerpts from is about the Sackler family. That’s the family that owned Purdue Pharma which created and marketed Oxycontin and is responsible for creating the opioid epidemic, not just in this country but around the world. If you’ve been following the story, you may know that the Sacklers were considering filing for bankruptcy back in  early 2019 while they were facing “an estimated 2,600 lawsuits relating to its role in creating the opioid epidemic.”

Instead of filing for bankruptcy, “court documents reveal the Sacklers transferred more than $10 billion of the company’s funds into family trusts. They fraudulently transferred company funds into trusts and offshore accounts owned by members of the Sackler family in an effort to shield assets from litigation. https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2020/11/04/purdue-pharma-pleads-guilty.aspx

The article also mentions a New York complaint charging “Purdue with secretly setting up a new company, Rhodes Pharma, in 2007 while the company was being investigated by federal prosecutors, as a way to protect the Sacklers from the mounting OxyContin crisis and continue their profit scheme.6 Rhodes Pharma makes generic opioids, allowing the Sacklers to benefit from the opioid epidemic both in terms of brand name sales and generic sales.” And, “according to a lawsuit filed in Massachusetts,10 Purdue Pharma and the Sacklers sought to increase opioid prescriptions while simultaneously developing overdose treatment to boost its profits.” https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2020/11/04/purdue-pharma-pleads-guilty.aspx

 

Here’s Where It Gets Twisted

According to the article, “Purdue finally filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2019.11 At the end of October 2020, Purdue Pharma agreed to plead guilty to three federal criminal charges relating to its role in the opioid crisis, including violating a federal anti-kickback law, conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government and violating the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.12,13

To settle the charges, Purdue is supposed to pay $8.3 billion in fines, forfeiture of past profits and civil liability payments.14 However, the company doesn’t have enough cash to cover the payments so, instead, Purdue Pharma will be dissolved, and its assets used to erect a “public benefit company,” in other words, a government-owned and controlled drug company.

This new company will reportedly be controlled by a trust that will “balance the trust’s interests against those of the American public and public health.”15 Future earnings from this public benefit company will be used to pay off the $8.3 billion penalty, which in turn is supposed to be used to combat the opioid crisis.”

Which means, “In essence, the government will now be in the business of making and selling opioids, the profits from which will then be used to combat opioid addiction.”

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2020/11/04/purdue-pharma-pleads-guilty.aspx

Now, that’s not exactly the same as Jumbo Shrimp, but it does sound oxymoronic, loopy in fact. It sounds like the government is following in the Sacklers’ footsteps. I’m not quite sure what to do besides scratch my head in wonderment. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see how selling opioids will help combat opioid addiction.

The Holidays, The Winter Wave Of COVID-19, And A Wave Of Mental Health Issues

By Dr. John Rosa

I have been anticipating the wave of mental health issues that are growing and looming larger every day. I know, that as this article states, “It’s comforting to think that with precautions like physical distancing, proper masking and — hopefully — a future vaccine, the COVID-19 curve will flatten and, someday, end. However, it’s essential to acknowledge that a second curve, the COVID mental health crisis curve, is already forming. That, too, will cost lives if we don’t make concerted efforts to treat it.”
https://talkbusiness.net/2020/09/covids-second-curve-protecting-our-mental-health/

With the holidays coming, which are already particularly stressful for many people, and the winter wave of COVID-19 already starting to take its toll, we must steel ourselves to follow protocols more strictly despite the stress. We must all find ways to soothe ourselves for the long-term. We must weigh the real risks involved in going home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Hannukah. Is it really worth the added stress to put your elder relatives at risk? If we all play it safe, maybe next holiday season we can return to the closeness of shared meals with loved ones we haven’t seen in a long time.

Everyone is under pressure now. This is the kind of emotional stress that leads to excessive drinking and experimentation with drugs. The stress on those who are in recovery from drug and/or alcohol use may become unbearable. If you or a loved one is in this group, please do whatever you can to support them and protect yourself during this stressful time.

The warnings are everywhere. According to one article, “COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations are increasing again with no sign of stopping, sparking fears that the fall and winter wave experts had warned about all year is already here. Over the past week, according to The New York Times COVID-19 tracker, the U.S. has confirmed an average of 54,000 new cases per day, a 25 percent increase compared to two weeks ago. The surge cannot solely be explained by an increase in testing. https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/521414-as-coronavirus-cases-surge-in-the-us-experts-warn-the-third-wave-has

Be safe. Follow the established protocols. Find soothing activities to help you get through this. The digital age makes everything available online from yoga to meditation and spiritual services of every denomination. Gift yourself and loved ones with chiropractic and massage appointments this year. Strengthening your mental and emotional health can also strengthen your physical health.

No One Is Immune To The Growing COVID-19 Mental Health Crisis

By Dr. John Rosa

The fear of getting the virus is stressful enough. Add to that the disruption in lifestyle, the social distancing, the inability to travel freely, the quarantining, the mandate to wear masks in public, the inability to go to the office, the unemployment, the financial stress. I could go on, but I think you get the point. All of these things add up to tremendous emotional and mental stress.A COVID-19-related mental health crisis is building like a tsunami wave and it’s going to cost even more lives as it continues to grow. Let’s face it, life is stressful. Everyone experiences stressful periods. However, when stress lasts for extended periods of time, the effects on mental health can be devastating. The world has been living with the presence of COVID-19 for nearly one year. That’s a long time to live under duress.

 

Everyone Is Vulnerable

A recent time.com article speaks to the growing concern around this issue. The article states, “While the physical symptoms caused by the virus may disappear in weeks, people will continue to suffer the impact of grief, anxiety and depression for months or even years. In addition to healthcare workers, those most at risk are older people, adolescents, people with pre-existing mental health conditions and those already caught up in conflict and crisis.” https://time.com/5839553/un-action-mental-health-crisis/

Men and women in recovery from opioid use and abuse are especially vulnerable. Here in the states, as well as in other parts of the world, COVID-19 has led to cuts in mental health services and the closure of many facilities.

According to some sources, there have already been 60% of Americans reporting negative mental health impacts since the beginning of the pandemic. One article I read says that the adverse effects a pandemic has on mental health can last one to three years after the end of the pandemic. We have no idea how close we are to the end of COVID-19. We do however know that substance abuse is on the rise, as are thoughts of self-harm and suicide. A recent study shows that 25% of all adults are reporting having symptoms of depression.

https://talkbusiness.net/2020/09/covids-second-curve-protecting-our-mental-health/

 

Focus On Self-Care 

It’s perfectly normal to feel stressed and/or overwhelmed during uncertain times. The Mayo Clinic suggests some self-care tips that will help with your mental health during these stressful times. In addition to the tips below provided by the Mayo Clinic, be alert to signs of depression, the desire to drink or thoughts of taking a pill to ease the anxiety you’re experiencing. Be aware that substance use and abuse is likely to increase during tough times. Turn to your trusted sources for support and provide support to others when you can. Remember that no one is immune to the effects of prolonged emotional and mental stress.

 

Tips For Mental Self-Care 

  • Set and maintain a routine at home.
  • Focus on things you can control.
  • Use technology to maintain social connections with your loved ones. Consider a regular check-in schedule to give you something to look forward to.
  • Focus your thoughts on the present and things to be grateful for today.
  • Listen to music or read books.
  • Consume reliable news sources that report facts and avoid media that sensationalizes emotions. •Limit your exposure or take a break from news and social media if you find that it makes you anxious.
  • Lean on your personal beliefs and faith for support.
  • Look for ways to help your community, such as blood donations, checking on older people in your neighborhood, or donating supplies or money to local organizations.
  • Acknowledge and appreciate what others are doing to help you and your community.

https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/self-care-tips-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

 

Recovery Is Resilience

By Dr. John Rosa

Recovery is a process. So is resilience. In fact, you can’t have one without the other! Both, recovery and resilience are processes that ultimately blossom into life’s most useful skills. No matter where you are in your recovery, resilience can continuously be fine-tuned.

 

The quality of resilience has been defined as “the ability to mentally or emotionally cope with a crisis or to return to pre-crisis status quickly. Resilience exists when the person uses “mental processes and behaviors in promoting personal assets and protecting self from the potential negative effects of stressors.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_resilience

 

Without question, everyone, whether in recovery or not, can benefit from taking stock of their inner reserves during these difficult times and turn their attention to developing greater resilience. For those of you in recovery, do not despair. There are very specific actions you can take – echoing the steps toward recovery – that will carry you forward and strengthen your resilience. All behaviors can be exercised, and like muscles, these behaviors, when consciously exercised will be strengthened in your daily life. (See the article I wrote entitled Exceptionally Challenging Times Require Greater Resilience For Those In Recovery.)

 

Remember that you have what you need within to get through this pandemic. You have capacities that do not depend on anyone outside of you. You have adaptability, courage, perseverance, a sense of humor, resourcefulness, gratitude and other attributes that have carried you through in the past. All of these attributes are aspects of resilience. So it’s important that you actively cultivate an awareness of your personal strengths and resources.  Focus on these attributes. Remember how they have helped you get through past difficulties. Let those memories motivate you and look into your future and see yourself functioning capably, clearly and confidently. Imagine how you will be able to help others tap into their inner strength and develop the ability to change as well and face whatever challenges life has in store for them.

 

When you are in recovery from substance abuse, you need to believe in your own inner strength and abilities. You might never have gone through anything quite like this before – none of us has – and many people are uncertain and fearful. But that’s to be expected. But keeping the whole picture in mind, knowing you have capabilities that can be strengthened like a muscle will carry you through. You can do this. You are resilient.

 

Exceptionally Challenging Times Require Greater Resilience For Those In Recovery

By Dr. John Rosa

Addiction experts agree that recovery is challenging whenever it is undertaken during normal life circumstances. But, when even the most sober and rock-steady humans begin to feel like they could crack under the pressure of exceptionally challenging times, like those we are experiencing during this COVID-19 pandemic, those in recovery must dig deeper to hang on to their strength and commitment.

 

Resilience is the capacity to withstand and manage challenges. It is a behavioral quality that can be cultivated through practice. As I see it, the quality of resilience creates the foundation for long-term recovery from addiction. During these unexpected and incredibly challenging times, it is important to establish a series of actions designed to cultivate and build resilience.

 

According to experts at Harvard, “Proactive measures to protect health will build resilience, and help people avoid relapsing into harmful addiction-related behaviors.” They go on to establish that, “If a relapse does happen it is important to keep in mind that long-term recovery remains within reach. Relapse is a common feature of recovery, and it does not prevent anyone from entering recovery again.” https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/recovering-from-addiction-during-a-time-of-uncertainty-and-social-distancing-2020040319381

 

Social Distancing Is Hard On Everyone And Anathema To Addicts In Recovery

 

I’ve been writing about the dangers of social distancing for addicts in recovery since before the first shelter-in-place orders were mandated. Addiction is comfortable in isolation. Recovery is difficult, though as we are finding out, not impossible. As a nation, we’ve been dealing with the anxiety social distancing creates and, the toll it is taking its toll on everyone is becoming evident. For addicts, the extended period of anxiety created can cause behavioral paralysis and disengagement from daily tasks and obligations.

 

Create A Plan And Work it

We are a full six months into living with this pandemic and no one knows how long requirements for social distancing may go on. Hopefully, you have already discovered the value of creating a plan for your recovery. Like any plan, it’s imperative to work it diligently.

If you haven’t yet established a plan or are new to recovery, here’s what the Harvard experts suggest. “Your plan should anticipate what you expect might happen, including experiencing complicated emotions. Remember, emotions will pass, and your plan should help you move through challenging ones.” In addition, they suggest relying on, “escape and avoidance skills by identifying alternative activities that respect social distancing, but conflict with addictive behavior. Such activities might include practicing mindfulness and relaxation, getting exercise, learning new skills, and communicating your goals and activities with loved ones and people who support you.” https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/recovering-from-addiction-during-a-time-of-uncertainty-and-social-distancing-2020040319381

 

Establish Or Join Social Networks

Fortunately, we are living in the digital age and while we may be required to keep our distance from others, we can still visit and meet digitally. Zoom meetings have become very popular. You can create your own or join social networks that will be supportive of your recovery. That may mean joining specific addiction recovery programs that meet online and/or other social networks that meet around common interests. It’s important to be clear to yourself about your own needs and identify people who can help with those needs should they arise.

Make Use Of Online Therapy And Telemedicine

If you require medication, remember that taking home medications to manage addiction must be carefully considered. Depending where you are in your recovery, you may need to receive your medication with supervision. However, you may be served by establishing remote sessions with your sponsor or a therapist.

Remember You Are Cultivating Resilience In Recovery

The most important thing to remember is that you are practicing and developing your resilience during this exceptionally challenging period. I pray that anyone in recovery will be able to look back on this pandemic victoriously and more capable of withstanding and managing whatever challenges may arise.

 

Chiropractic Treatment Plays Important Role In Suicide Prevention  

By Dr. John Rosa

Suicide prevention is just one more among a long list of benefits chiropractic care provides. This news has been recently revealed based on research conducted among U.S. Army service members returning from deployment. The motivation for the study was based on the fact that suicide among our returned service men and women has been going up steadily. For instance, between 2001 and 2014, studies show that “U.S. adult civilian suicides increased 23%, while Veteran suicides increased 32%.”

It is a well-known fact that many people returning from military deployment experience physical and mental health issues, which can include chronic pain, post-treatment alcohol use disorder, drug addiction, depression, thoughts of suicide, self-harm, or any combination. The results of the new study were published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine and concludes that “receiving treatment that is not drug-based can reduce the likelihood of such outcomes in veterans with chronic pain.” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31659663/

The authors of the study compared 142,539 U.S. Army service members with chronic pain who received nonpharmacological treatments (NPT) with those who did not in order to see if there was a reduction in long-term pain-related adverse outcomes. Almost 25% of the participants received chiropractic care, while physical therapy was conducted on 32% of the participants.

According to the findings, United States Army service members who received nondrug therapy had a “significantly lower” risk of:

  • alcohol or drug use disorders
  • accidental poisoning with opioids, related narcotics, barbiturates, or sedatives
  • thoughts of suicide
  • self-inflicted injuries, including suicide attempts

Whether you are a veteran of any branch of the U.S. military or not, chiropractic care offers the same life-saving benefits to anyone experiencing chronic pain. So, please, keep your chiropractor’s telephone number handy as you never know when it can save a life.